The Memory Man

In this middling series launch from Savile (Glass Town), missing Swedish politician Jonas Anglemark is considered just a blip on the screen in the London office of Peter Ash, investigator for the Ministry of Defence’s European Crime Division. But when Anglemark’s tongue is delivered to Monsignor Jacques Tournard’s office in Paris and the man’s mutilated body is fished out of the Riddarfjärden in Stockholm, Peter starts to take notice, as does Frankie Varg, his counterpart in Swedish intelligence. A full-blown investigation ensues. With Tournard’s disappearance, Peter and Frankie realize that they are dealing with a serial killer. Their one clear clue is a note delivered to the victims that reads in Latin: Remember Bonn. Other gruesome deaths occur. Despite computer assistance, much of the investigation involves old-fashioned legwork as it builds to a confused and melodramatic end. Peter’s ill-considered actions are more in line with those of an unsuspecting gothic heroine than a cool British agent. Few readers will look forward to his further exploits. (Feb.)